By Mike Glenn |
February 7, 2013
| Updated: February 8, 2013 3:47pm

More Information

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a hacker who gained access to private emails between members of the Bush family and friends, officials confirmed Friday.

In Washington, U.S. Secret Service spokesman George Ogilvie told the Houston Chronicle Friday morning that an open ended investigation was underway by the federal agency responsible for protecting former presidents as well as the incumbent.

"We are investigating the incident," Ogilvie said. "Beyond that I can't get into anything else."

According to the Smoking Gun website, the unidentified hacker was able to compromise emails, telephone numbers and home addresses for dozens of Bush family members - including both former presidents.

The hacked emails were sent between 2009 and 2012.

The hacker also seized several photographs, including at least one taken of the elder Bush during his recent hospital stay in Houston.

The hacker also acquired photographs sent by former President George W. Bush to his sister. The photos were of paintings Bush had been working on, including self-portraits, the website reported.

The hacker also intercepted emails between CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz and a George W. Bush scheduler.

The correspondence included a home address for the former president and the code to get past the security gate, according to the website.

In an exchange of emails with the website, the hacker said federal agents began investigating him a "long time ago," the Smoking Gun reported.

Lawmakers expressed outrage over the incident.

"Hacking has become a serious problem,'' said U.S. Rep. Randy Weber, R-Alvin. "Unfortunately, there are those who mean ill will to decent, honest, hardworking Americans. My heart goes out to the Bush family over this invasion of their privacy. One of the things we first learned in Congress is that there are millions of attempts each year to hack into the Federal Government's computers. The sad truth is that America has enemies all over the world and we need to remain diligent at every level, including Cyber Security."